Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
How Grayson County is Getting Connected
Discusses efforts to build broadband infrastructure in Grayson County, Virginia, in rural Appalachia. Describes the planning process, health implications of broadband access in the county, and advice for communities seeking broadband.
Author(s): AARP Livable Communities
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Discusses efforts to build broadband infrastructure in Grayson County, Virginia, in rural Appalachia. Describes the planning process, health implications of broadband access in the county, and advice for communities seeking broadband.
Author(s): AARP Livable Communities
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Spatial Analysis of Health Care Utilization among Medicare Beneficiaries with Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis and Other Related Pneumoconiosis
Results of a study to determine and map the geographical distribution of healthcare utilization patterns among 8,625 Medicare beneficiaries with black lung disease (CWP) and other related respiratory diseases from 2011-2014. Features statistics with breakdowns by type of coal work-related disease and county-level maps showing healthcare utilization rates for beneficiaries with CWP or other related pneumoconiosis as the diagnosis.
Author(s): Ahmed A. Arif, Claudio Owusu, Rajib Paul, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Results of a study to determine and map the geographical distribution of healthcare utilization patterns among 8,625 Medicare beneficiaries with black lung disease (CWP) and other related respiratory diseases from 2011-2014. Features statistics with breakdowns by type of coal work-related disease and county-level maps showing healthcare utilization rates for beneficiaries with CWP or other related pneumoconiosis as the diagnosis.
Author(s): Ahmed A. Arif, Claudio Owusu, Rajib Paul, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Traffic Safety in Appalachia: Final Report
Defines the traffic safety culture in Appalachia and discusses causes of common safety problems in the region, including drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Explores environmental concerns of Appalachian drivers, such as expansive rural regions, mountainous and curved terrain, and dense forests exposed to extreme weather elements. Includes analysis of Appalachian traffic fatalities, fatal crash data statistics, and an evaluation of the Appalachian Development Highway System as a possible intervention measure for treating traffic safety problems. Also includes a case study of severe crashes in Appalachian North Carolina, featuring statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Research Brief
Author(s): Wesley Kumfer, Katherine Harmon, Bo Lan, et al.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Defines the traffic safety culture in Appalachia and discusses causes of common safety problems in the region, including drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Explores environmental concerns of Appalachian drivers, such as expansive rural regions, mountainous and curved terrain, and dense forests exposed to extreme weather elements. Includes analysis of Appalachian traffic fatalities, fatal crash data statistics, and an evaluation of the Appalachian Development Highway System as a possible intervention measure for treating traffic safety problems. Also includes a case study of severe crashes in Appalachian North Carolina, featuring statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Research Brief
Author(s): Wesley Kumfer, Katherine Harmon, Bo Lan, et al.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Mapping Climate Risks by County and Community
Features maps depicting county-level data on various climate risks, including sea level rise, exposure to hurricanes and typhoons, extreme rainfall, and water and heat stress. Describes climate concerns facing rural communities, including Appalachia, Native American lands, and others. Discusses how heat stress can affect health.
Author(s): Ari Pinkus
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Communities Project
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Features maps depicting county-level data on various climate risks, including sea level rise, exposure to hurricanes and typhoons, extreme rainfall, and water and heat stress. Describes climate concerns facing rural communities, including Appalachia, Native American lands, and others. Discusses how heat stress can affect health.
Author(s): Ari Pinkus
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Communities Project
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Ensuring Contact: Calling Rural Appalachian Older Adults During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Presents a study on the well-being and healthcare needs of socially isolated adults 75 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural West Virginia. Bases conclusions on telephone interviews with seniors from April 1-22, 2020. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, mental and physical health conditions, and comfort with different forms of communication technology, among other factors.
Author(s): Robert B Walker, Michael Grome, William Rollyson, Adam D Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(1), 6122
Date: 01/2021
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Presents a study on the well-being and healthcare needs of socially isolated adults 75 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural West Virginia. Bases conclusions on telephone interviews with seniors from April 1-22, 2020. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, mental and physical health conditions, and comfort with different forms of communication technology, among other factors.
Author(s): Robert B Walker, Michael Grome, William Rollyson, Adam D Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(1), 6122
Date: 01/2021
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Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation: Taking a Leadership Role and Building Trust
An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the region.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the region.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Cancer Curriculum for Appalachian Kentucky Middle and High Schools
Results of an online survey sent to 21 science and health teachers in Appalachian Kentucky, consisting of questions on existing cancer education efforts, relevance of cancer education, and feasibility of a curriculum of this type being used in the classroom.
Author(s): Lauren Hudson, Katherine Sharp, Chris Prichard, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 43-55
Date: 2021
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Results of an online survey sent to 21 science and health teachers in Appalachian Kentucky, consisting of questions on existing cancer education efforts, relevance of cancer education, and feasibility of a curriculum of this type being used in the classroom.
Author(s): Lauren Hudson, Katherine Sharp, Chris Prichard, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 43-55
Date: 2021
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Impact of the COVID-19 Shutdown on Mental Health in Appalachia by Working Status
Results of a study on issues faced by Appalachian residents during the COVID-19-related shutdown in the spring of 2020, including concerns about healthcare and finances, and the effect on mental health. Examines whether there were higher levels of anxiety, fear, and depression among those who continued working outside the home compared with those who began working remotely during the shutdown. Features demographics and statistics on chronic health conditions and types of concerns, with breakdowns by work categories.
Author(s): Erin N. Haynes, Timothy J. Hilbert, Susan C. Westneat, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 18-28
Date: 2021
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Results of a study on issues faced by Appalachian residents during the COVID-19-related shutdown in the spring of 2020, including concerns about healthcare and finances, and the effect on mental health. Examines whether there were higher levels of anxiety, fear, and depression among those who continued working outside the home compared with those who began working remotely during the shutdown. Features demographics and statistics on chronic health conditions and types of concerns, with breakdowns by work categories.
Author(s): Erin N. Haynes, Timothy J. Hilbert, Susan C. Westneat, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 18-28
Date: 2021
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A Description of COVID-19 Lifestyle Restrictions Among a Sample of Rural Appalachian Women
Findings from a survey given to 33 women who had previously participated in a larger survey involving substance use and behavioral risks. Features demographics and statistics on substance use, mental health, and types of activity restrictions related to COVID-19.
Author(s): Michele Staton, Martha Tillson, J. Matthew Webster
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 4-17
Date: 2021
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Findings from a survey given to 33 women who had previously participated in a larger survey involving substance use and behavioral risks. Features demographics and statistics on substance use, mental health, and types of activity restrictions related to COVID-19.
Author(s): Michele Staton, Martha Tillson, J. Matthew Webster
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 4-17
Date: 2021
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"We're, Like, the Most Unhealthy People in the Country": Using an Equity Lens to Reduce Barriers to Healthy Food Access in Rural Appalachia
Examines barriers and facilitators for accessing healthy food in Martin County, Kentucky. Aims to develop socially-, culturally-, and historically-informed policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions to reduce obesity in Appalachia and other areas.
Author(s): Kathryn Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
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Examines barriers and facilitators for accessing healthy food in Martin County, Kentucky. Aims to develop socially-, culturally-, and historically-informed policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions to reduce obesity in Appalachia and other areas.
Author(s): Kathryn Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
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